Too Much of a Good Thing

The MARCH of DEATH
 

"The MARCH of DEATH" -- in the Rose Garden ... by Ed Bradley


 

 

Most Rosarians have more roses than we need.  We also get caught up in the hysteria of getting every new rose that hits the market, thinking it will surely be the one that gets the big trophy.  But, the truth is – all roses don’t do well in all locales.  I couldn’t possibly count all of the roses I’ve discarded in the past 25 years.  (I have replaced 4 hybrid teas and 6 miniatures this summer.)  I am reluctant to buy all of the hype about new roses; however, I sometimes still take the bait – hook, line and sinker – and thereby end up with non-productive roses in my garden.

What is a non-productive rose?  We all have some criterion by which we evaluate roses in our gardens.  Maybe it is show quality; maybe it is fragrance; maybe it is home-bouquet quality, or just good, long lasting color in the garden.  Sometimes, we keep roses for purely sentimental reasons.  And, that is OK, if you don’t expect much from them in terms of performance.  Whatever it is – you expect your rose to meet your expectations.  (If you